UAB: Comprehensive Cancer Center

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Wendy Demark-Wahnefried, Ph.D., R.D., has joined the faculty of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center where she will serve as the Associate Director for Cancer Prevention and Control as well as a Professor of Nutrition Sciences. Her appointment was effective March 1.

Demark-Wahnefried is a nutrition scientist with training in biochemistry, genetics and behavioral science. For the past two decades, her research career has spanned basic science studies focused on determining mechanisms of action of food-related components on neoplastic progression, to clinical research that involves nutrition-related concerns of cancer patients, as well as determining effective lifestyle interventions that improve the overall health of cancer survivors and their families.

Prior to joining the Cancer Center, Demark-Wahnefried was a professor in behavioral science at the University of Texas-M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nutritional science and chemistry from the University of Michigan. She completed her graduate work at Baylor College of Medicine-Texas Woman’s University in Houston and at Syracuse University.

Demark-Wahnefried’s laboratory has conducted some of the largest studies exploring metabolic and body composition changes in response to cancer treatment. She has experienced particular success in studying the delivery of home-based lifestyle interventions among cancer survivors where she leads a number of  National Institutes of Health-funded trials aimed at improving the diet and exercise behaviors of cancer survivors. For her work in this area, she was a named a Susan G. Komen Professor of Survivorship.

“We are thrilled to have a researcher of Dr. Demark-Wahnefried’s caliber join us at the Cancer Center,” said Edward Partridge, M.D., Cancer Center director. “Her background and expertise will be instrumental in expanding our research efforts in the growing field of cancer and nutrition.”

The UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center is among the 40 cancer centers in the nation to meet the stringent criteria for the National Cancer Institute's comprehensive designation. The center is a leader in groundbreaking research, reducing cancer disparities and leading-edge patient care.

March 30, 2010

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